Revisiting the AAF-XFL-USFL Crossovers, How Did They Do?

By Pat Rifino

In the month of April, I identified the original 16 players who were drafted by USFL teams in the 2022 draft. As we stated the USFL did a pretty good job of having new players in their league and though some familiar faces were added to the league (Luis Perez), I wanted to focus on the original crop of players that were originally sought after by the USFL. Below is referring to my original article with an update on how they did. 

Marquis Lucas New Orleans Breakers Offensive Tackle

Orlando Apollos and Tampa Bay Vipers

Lucas could have been an afterthought for the Breakers coming into camp, in fact he did the exact opposite. Lucas came in and was a lockdown tackle for the Breakers and helped lead them to a playoff berth. Lucas would start 10 games for the Breakers, the most games he’s started since college. 

Terry Poole New Jersey Generals Offensive Tackle

San Diego Fleet and Houston Roughnecks

Terry Poole continued to dominate in the spring league realm as he continued his streak of starting spring league football games. Poole since the beginning of the spring football era (AAF) has started every possible spring football game in the regular season. Poole’s latest sample of play in the USFL saw himself get selected to the All-USFL team for Generals. Though his opportunity in the NFL may have passed Poole will definitely remain a key player in all future spring football endeavors.

Channing Stribling Philadelphia Stars Cornerback

Memphis Express and Seattle Dragons

Stripling is the second player on our list to make the All-USFL Team for 2022. Stribling came on the scene by storm and was viewed as Top cornerback in the USFL. Strbling’s seven interceptions led the USFL and allowed for the Stars to present a formidable Defense week in and week out. Stribling now will have the opportunity to lead the Stars vs the Stallions in the 2022 USFL championship to solidify his magical season.

Jamar Summers Houston Gamblers Cornerback

Birmingham Iron and New York Guardians 

Summers was looked upon to be a pre-season All-USFL cornerback coming into 2022. Though solid, Summers did not register an INT while registering 26 total tacklers. At only 27 years old Summers added some credibility to a young league and was definitely an efficient starter in the USFL.

Bradley Sylve Philadelphia Stars Cornerback

Birmingham Iron and DC Defenders

Stars went back to the spring league cookie jar by drafting Sylve in the 11th round. Sylve would battle injuries throughout the 2022 season and would only register 8 tackles this year.

Jack Tocho Philadelphia Stars Safety 

Birmingham Iron and LA Wildcats

Tocho did not report to training camp with the Stars and has not been on the spring football radar so far since Spring 2022.

Beniquez Brown Houston Gamblers Linebacker

Birmingham Iron and Houston Roughnecks

Brown would play a reserve role for the Gamblers. Surrounded by Reggie Northrup and Donald Payne Brown would play sparingly and register 15 tackles for a Gamblers defense that was a bright spot in an extremely bleak season. 

Scooby Wright III Birmingham Stallions Linebacker

Arizona Hotshots and DC Defenders

Wright was immediately a USFL fan favorite in Birmingham as the “Sharkdawg” made his presence known during the opening week of the season. Though hampered by some injuries, a leaner, meaner, Scooby Wright was a dynamic playmaker for the Southern Division Birmingham Stallions. Add a Defensive Player of the Week award and many will say Scooby Wright was viewed as a top-ten linebacker in the USFL when healthy.

Taiwan Jones Michigan Panthers Linebacker

Memphis Express and LA Wildcats

Jones would be the second player on our list of originals to not report to camp come April for the Panthers. He seems to have retired from pro football.

Damien Mama Tampa Bay Bandits Offensive Guard

San Diego Fleet and New York Guardians

Mama, came on strong for the Bandits that was one of the most up and down offenses in the USFL. Mama would start every game at guard for the Bandits and would provide consistent interior protection for Ta’amu during the 2022 USFL Season.

De’Veon Smith Pittsburgh Maulers Running Back

Orlando Apollos and Tampa Bay Vipers

The most controversial player in the USFL despite never playing a game. Smith was the victim of Kirby Wilson’s Pizzagate and would be cut for “disrespecting the USFL staff” and replaced with Madre London. Smith is adamant about wanting to play football and has been vocal on Twitter about wanting to keep his career going.

Trey Williams New Jersey Generals Running Back

San Antonio Commanders and Seattle Dragons

Williams was a part of the three headed monster that included Darius Victor, DeAndre Johnson and him. Williams would place 2nd in the USFL with 579 yards. Williams was a part of an extremely dynamic Generals rushing attack that won the Northern Division however lost in the playoffs.

Frank Ginda Michigan Panthers Linebacker

San Diego Fleet and New York Guardians

Ginda was an afterthought in the AAF and XFL however, would really come into his own with the Panthers. One of the leaders of Panthers, Ginda would place second in the USFL with 89 tackles only behind Donald Payne. Though slightly liable in the passing game, Ginda would prove to be a sure-handed Linebacker in the run game.

Austin MacGinnis New Orleans Breakers Kicker

Memphis Express and Dallas Renegades

MacGinnis was originally one of my pre-season picks to be on the All-USFL team since he’s only missed 2 professional field games. MacGinnis would start the season like many USFL kickers, wildly inaccurate. Before getting replaced MacGinnis would go 2 for 5 on field goals and 4 for 7 on extra points. MacGinnis would later be transferred to the inactive list, according to USFL reports. 

Nick Truesdell New Jersey Generals Tight End 

Salt Lake Stallions and Tampa Bay Vipers

Truesdell would go into camp however suffer injuries. After spending two weeks on the practice squad/inactive roster Truesdell would be released after approx. a month with the team and is currently not playing pro football.

Ryan Navarro Philadelphia Stars Long Snapper

Memphis Express and LA Wildcats

Navarro is another Stars player that has AAF and XFL ties. Navarro proved his consistent solid play as he appeared in each game this year. He also registered 2 tackles before the end of the season. 

Overall the original 16 AAF-XFL crossover yielded mixed results. 4 players did not show/got cut, 2 became All-USFL players, 2 would not make it to the end of the year, and 8 would finish the year as contributors/starters at their position. As we’ve seen in spring football many times these players often re-tread in these leagues. With the XFL coming in 2023, will we see former AAF and XFL 2.0 players come back on a new list? Only time will tell.